Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that in view of the increasing instances of physical attack on women, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed protective chilli spray for their self protection;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps Government is taking to popularise the same, including its availability to girls and women?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tejpur, a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a chilli spray i.e. CAPSISPRAY. It is an eco-friendly non-lethal chilli spray for personal protection and self-defence. It contains Oleoresin Capsicum extracted from the world’s hottest chilli, the Bhut Jolokia (Capsicum Assamicum), largely cultivated in Assam and other parts of North Eastern States of India.

(c) The prototype of chilli spray is ready and the product is required to be tested for several toxicology parameters. DRDO will take further steps to popularize the product once trials are over.

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